Chapter 18: Shadows of the Mind
Kael and Elara ran through the winding tunnel, the sounds of pursuit fading behind them. The passage grew narrower until they were forced to crawl through a small opening. They emerged onto a rocky ledge overlooking a moonlit valley.
"We need to find the others," Elara gasped, trying to catch her breath.
Kael nodded, his face grim. "I can feel Ronan through our brother bond. He’s alive but in pain."
"And Darian?" Elara asked, fear clutching at her heart.
"Harder to sense. He’s always been able to shield his thoughts," Kael explained, scanning the valley below. "It’s how he survived eighteen years with the queen."
A howl echoed across the valley – not the twisted cry of skin-walkers, but the clear call of a wolf. Kael’s head snapped up, relief washing over his face.
"That’s Ronan’s signal. They’re at the meeting point."
They climbed down the rocky slope carefully, every shadow seeming to hide danger. When they reached the valley floor, Kael led them through a dense patch of trees to a hidden cave entrance.
Inside, Ronan paced anxiously while Tobias tended to a wound on his arm. Darian sat cross-legged in the corner, eyes closed in deep concentration.
"Elara!" Ronan rushed forward, pulling her into a fierce hug. "You’re alive!"
"Barely," Kael said. "Father’s working with the skin-walkers. He’s planning to become one of them."